By Our Correspondent, Bhairahawa, Jan. 22: Road Division Office, Butwal, is preparing to construct a bypass road connecting the Gautam Buddha International Airport with Lumbini and India at a cost of Rs 4.34 billion.

The road will start from the diversion of the Tinaau and Danav River in Butwal and will run south through Tilottama and Sainamaina municipalities. The road has been named as ‘River Route’ as it will be constructed on the side of both the rivers.

“Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the bypass road has already been prepared. We have sent it and other necessary documents to the Department of Roads for finalising the project,” said Meghraj Marasini, senior division officer of Butwal Road Division Office.

The bypass road is said to be a part of State government’s road project to improve the flow of traffic on the major highway. The State government has said to provide Rs. 450 million to start the construction of corridors on both the rivers.

A 7-metre two-lane road, with 2-metre footpath, 3-metre greenery and 1.5-metre drainage is said to be constructed on either side of the two rivers – Tinaau and Danav. A 15-15 km and 10-10 km two-side corridor is said to be constructed along Tinaau and Danav River respectively. The speed limit would be 40 km/hr on the bypass road.

However, a total of 556 trees are to be cut down during the road construction. Similarly, 46.24 hectares of land, 147 electric poles, 2,000 metres agricultural canal and 12 temples will also be affected.

A 97,000 cubic metre gabion wall is said to be constructed to block the river flowing towards the project site.

“We will begin the tender process for the bypass road within a month and start its construction at the earliest,” said Marasini.

Once the road is constructed, the distance between the Gautam Buddha International Airport and Lumbini would be reduced by 10 km, it was learnt.